The Reading Challenge Group discussion

I set a tentative goal of twenty books. Last year I did five, as taming care of my son from 4 to 16 months left little but exhaustion lol He's doing great now and evenings are good for reading. I think a little more than a book a month is doable and hope to raise the goal as time goes on. I have lots of Kindle books waiting for me and find new ones all the time to add to my collection. Would love buddy reads of contemporary and historical fiction or certain classics like Jane Austen to get me to finally read it!

Current read is Sisterhood, nearly 3/4 done. Still not sure what's next, but thinking "Then I Found You".

Please recommend anything from my favorite genre or something that you really liked :)

Some reccs from me: Husband's Secret, Calebs Crossing, The Alchemist, Outlander series (working on it myself), Wizard's First Rule, and lots more!

Hi Lindsay! Welcome to the group!

If you really want to read a book with someone, post in the main thread in the Buddy Reads folder! I'd definitely like to do some classics!

Thanks Holly :)

I just finished Sisterhood. My review:

As I neared the end of this book, I found myself feeling a little sad that the experience of reading it was drawing to a close. The story was magically woven together, with the secrets revealed and connections made at a satisfying pace. I love these women, their fictional lives have been fascinating. This is the first book by Bryan I have read, and I will follow up with War Brides soon. Looking forward to more from this author!

Starting a new book tonight :) Kate Atkinson's Life After Life.

Lindsay wrote: "Starting a new book tonight :) Kate Atkinson's Life After Life."

Well chosen Lindsay, I've heard a lot of good things about it. Solid choice.

Is there a way to look at the postings for reading challenge 2013....by looking at what people read and commented i could find some good tips on what to read

Amber wrote: "Is there a way to look at the postings for reading challenge 2013....by looking at what people read and commented i could find some good tips on what to read"

People are talking about the books they've read so far this year in this thread. :)

Faye wrote: "Amber wrote: "Is there a way to look at the postings for reading challenge 2013....by looking at what people read and commented i could find some good tips on what to read"

People are talking abou..."

If you go to the group home where the challenge is and click on the challenge it will show you a list of everyone's totals and % done. Next to the person's name it will say # of # with a %done. click on that and it will show you all the books that person has read. It works that way for the Goodreads challenge too.

It was tough to start Life After Life, but all of a sudden I'm quite into it now! Picked up fast after three dozen pages or so.

I've not signed on here in a while. I see some books I just read are group reads this month haha

Done:
Bossypants
Great Gatsby (movie was my reward and better)
Two ghost novels

Working on picking up Outlander where I left off in book four (?). Tv series starts soon and can't wait. Will mix in others to break up the very long books. For example,I TA a class that reads Handmaids Tale. I haven't read it yet.

Plan for Handmaids Tale, Outlander 4-end (is it nine on pre-order?) finish Fullfrontal Feminism, still want to do Book Thief and Divergent but I love my Outlander. And that's a big commitment!!

I think I may be able to bump up my goal. Or leave it and see how many I exceed it by? hmmm decisions decisions...

Seems like my brain is taking a little book break, but hoping to pick up the pace again soon. Nearing the end of Handmaid although it was a Slow start. Thinking about what's next

Trying to decide if I should increase my goal or hope to meet and go over it, then shoot higher next year. Maybe move to 25? But then I'll be behind. Hmm,..

I bumped my challenge to 30 books. I just finished Handmaida Tale and powered through another nonfiction. Still ahead by 1!

cool Lindsay. I am up to 37 now in my challenge.

What did you think of The Handmaid's Tale?

There were a lot of great passages, but overall I found it really slow. I can understand why the students in Women's Studies 101 have had a hard time with it.

I've certainly read a few more books. My latest was Fault in Our Stars. I loved it. Trying to figure out what I want to read next. So many choices! I think I get overwhelmed making the choice so I idle a few days. Wasted reading time, really!

I had put myself to 50, but that's overreaching. Moved down to 40 and just finished Kafka. That's 20/40.

Starting a new book, and pretty proud of myself for reading Metamorphosis in just about a single day.

My sister-in-law loves the TV series and was telling me about it at the weekend. I'm curious to know what you think of the book!

My personal challenge for August may force me to go back up to fifty or maybe even more.

I just started 50 Shades. I never really wanted to. But it's because I developed a distaste for a book I never read that I feel I should. It may be popular, maybe didn't earn it, but I refuse to let myself take that attitude with a book. I'm going to use my speed reading skill until the book slows me down...

After, my want-to-read pile gets some attention. After a very modern story, I'm going to meet some classics. Pride and Prejudice, Wuthering Heights, Little Women, Emma, Middlemarch, Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, and A Tale of Two Cities.

It's a big list. But I think if I focus and read more often like I should instead of playing mobile games, it's more than doable.

I'm looking forward to organizing myself and the fresh start of the 2015 challenge now that I'm in the groove...

But I'm pregnant again :)

Due in March! So that could make it tough.

Will the admins just be changing our name or are we doing a new group?

BTW I loved Orange is the new black. And the tv series! The show was only loosely based on it though which was fine =)

Congrats Lindsay!

I'm not sure if Holly and Faye will be creating a new group or just renaming this one. Any thoughts ladies?

Oh, EFF. I like it. I like 50 Shades. She just got a gift from him that made me tingle, and I doubt any lady in this group wouldn't feel something over this scene. lol

I'm into the word porn. Trying to keep an open mind and see all the sex as part of a bigger picture and like, metaphors and stuff...

Ugh, I'm stalling at 30% into the book. It's boring me.

Are you going to continue on with it?

I did and I finished it. The author has a similar relationship with me as the main characters have with each other. And I'm appalled that I'm not only willing to, but feel the need to be tortured by book two. Help me!

Lol, I hope you enjoy book 2! I've heard the same reaction before from others so there must be something to it. I'm avoiding it like the plague so I don't get sucked in.

Congratulations on your pregnancy :-)

Thank you :)

I just finished Pride and Prejudice. It took forever. I wish I could have let myself give up on it. So much for my August list! Hoping to do at least one more this month, maybe blow through a couple?

Congrats on powering through Pride and Prejudice, Lindsay. Even though it was rough, now you'll always be able to say that you did it!

Absolutely! It is satisfying to have pieces of the western canon under your belt. Even though you have to work for them. Nice Job sticking with it!

Well, I decided to officially drop my goal to 30, which is four books away. BUT, I plan to focus on finishing up the Outlander series- which are clunkers- while pregnant. It's going to get rough reading, and I just want to finish these books....because...
*Cue suspenseful music*
It's fricken twins!
Due March 25, probably will meet them sooner. Labeled mono-di, identical. Wow :)

So, working on this one. My little reward for dealing with constant nausea, sleepiness, and a very active two year old lol

Wow, congrats on having twins! My sister had twins 13 months after having her first and it has been a very interesting experience. There is something really special about twins though, especially once they move into the toddler phase. Best of luck!

Congrats!! My husband is a twin :)

Thanks, ladies! 3 under 3 has me freaked out! Hah

Don't worry Lindsay, 3 under 3 has it's challenges, but there are also lots of rewards. Think of those for now! Everything else will sort itself out in time.

:)

Congrats Lindsay, twins how exciting!